Thunderbirds drop decision to Spokane Chiefs | Hockey

The Spokane Chiefs defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-2 Saturday night in front of 6,014, one of the largest crowds of the season at the ShoWare Center.

The Spokane Chiefs defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-2 Saturday night in front of 6,014, one of the largest crowds of the season at the ShoWare Center.

Spokane (19-13-2-3) scored three goals during the second half of the first period. The first goal was scored at 10:36 by Mitch Holmberg. Dominik Uher and Todd Fiddler had the assist.

The Chiefs scored a short-handed goal at 15:19 by Steve Kuhn. Corbin Baldwin was credited with the assist.

Fiddler scored at 18:48 to give Spokane the 3-0 lead. Brenden Kitchon and Uher had the assists.

Spokane led Seattle (16-21-0-1) in shots, 16-7, after the first period.

The T-Birds scored 22 seconds into the second period. Marcel Noebels cut across the high slot from left to right and then passed the puck backwards to Dave Sutter, who was waiting at the blue line. Sutter took a slap shot with Burke Gallimore in the right circle. Gallimore tipped Sutter’s shot and beat Spokane goalie Mac Engel on the right side to score his 17th goal of the season.

The Chiefs led in shots 31-14 after two periods of play.

Branden Troock scored Seattle’s second goal of the night at 12:50 of the third. Connor Sanvido passed the puck to Shea Theodore, who was waiting at the blue line. Theodore passed the puck back to Sanvido at the left circle. Sanvido passed the puck to Troock, who was waiting at the top of the crease. Troock backhanded the puck under Engel’s right leg for his eighth goal of the season.

Holmberg scored his second goal and Spokane’s fourth goal of the night at 16:22 of the third. Fiddler was credited with the assist.

The Chiefs finished with a 40-26 advantage in shots.

Engel stopped 24 on 26 shots increasing his record to 17-11-1-2.

Seattle’s Calvin Pickard made 36 saves on 40 shots and is credited with the loss bringing his record to 16-17-0-1.

Seattle travels to Kamloops to face the Blazers Friday, January 13, at the Interior Savings Centre at 7 p.m. The T-Birds return to the ShoWare Center on Saturday, January 14, against the Portland Winterhawks at 7:05 p.m. in Kent.

T-Birds single game tickets for the 2011-12 season are available online at the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday game days at 10 a.m. and Sunday game days at noon.

T-Birds season tickets are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Spokane, Holmberg 14 (Uher, Fiddler), 10:36. 2, Spokane, Kuhn 8 (Baldwin), 15:19 (sh). 3, Spokane, Fiddler 7 (Kichton, Uher), 18:48. Penalties – Chartier, Spo (major-fighting), 3:50. Aschim, Sea (slashing, major-fighting), 3:50. Noebels, Sea (hooking), 11:15. Kramer, Spo (high sticking), 14:53.

Second period – 4, Seattle, Gallimore 17(Sutter, Noebels), :22. Penalties – Aviani, Spo (slashing), 2:01. Troock, Sea (slashing), 4:05. Wardley, Sea (cross checking), 12:53.

Third period – 5, Seattle, Troock 8 (Sanvido, Theodore), 12:50. 6, Spokane, Holmberg 15 (Fiddler), 16:22. Penalties – Baldwin, Spo (tripping), 1:40. Baldwin, Spo (interference), 7:42. Hickman, Sea (major-fighting), 12:35. Aviani, Spo (major-fighting), 12:35. Vandane, Spo (tripping), 16:44. Troock, Sea (interference), 19:50.

Shots on goal – Seattle 7-7-12 26. Spokane 16-15-9 40 Goalies – Seattle, Pickard 40 shots-36 saves (16-17-0-1); Spokane, Engel 26-24 (17-11-1-2). Power plays – Seattle 0-5; Spokane 0-5. A – 6,014. Referee – Steve Papp, Tyler Adair. Linesmen – Kevin Boris, Zach Brooks.